[Faith-talk] the blind jesus

Fri May 23 17:04:09 UTC 2014

Very good post Debby. I think there is always a solution. I've been in the situation before of being too afraid to advocate for myself, and of course then I feel like I get stepped on because I have to take whatever comes if I don't try to change it for myself. But I've also learned that if I want anything to change, I have to step out. Sometimes that is difficult, and we don't want to make trouble, or we don't know what will happen if we take a risk, but that's life. We have to do it anyway and trust that everything will work out just fine. Then we become more confident and know that we are in control of our own lives4

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 23, 2014, at 12:49, debby phillips via Faith-talk <faith-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Okay Andrew, ow get it, there are days when I get sick of being blind, too.  But I think we all get sick of something in our lives.  I have sighted friends who have huge problems, too.  They have trouble getting jobs, they have trouble with their marriages, friends betray them, stuff happens.  I have been left out of family stuff too sometimes.  I have not been believed when I give directions, or other information.  I get it that people turn away from me at church, or don't talk to me.  I understand all that.  I also understand Andrew that you are feeling really angry and depressed.  I understand that you feel like there's nothing ahead of you.  But Andrew, people have made suggestions to you about what you might do.  I even said that I would advocate for you to go to a Center here in the States to get some training.  At some point, blind or not, we have to try and make some things better for ourselves.  You need to do things to change your own situation.  I know it's difficult.  I know it sucks sometimes, in fact.  But I think that really life can be very good.  You see, there are things that nobody can take away from you, unless you let them.  Nobody can take your dignity.  Unless you give people more power in your life than they are entitled to.  In order for things to happen in your life, you have to make some changes, too.  It might mean moving physically from where you are.  Maybe you need to consider moving to a city.  Your family may think you can't, and they may try to stop you.  But if you want a life, you have to take some action.  Believe it or not, there are places here in the States that don't have good services, where it's hard to go anywhere because there's no public transportation, etc.  I was in that situation, and I took a huge risk and went to the Colorado Center for the Blind, got some training, and we moved to Spokane, where I do have public transportation, sidewalks, where I can walk to places.  But I had to do a lot of advocating for myself, getting my husband to see my point of view.  Then he became more willing to think about moving.  And now, we both love where we live.  Life isn't easy and we do have to step out of our comfort zone.  I understand that you may have some other issues going on besides your blindness.  But I think there are solutions.  Perhaps someone has the phone number, address etc.  of Paul and Mary Ellen Gabias.  I know that they would help you.  I know Mary Ellen personally and I know that she is a kind, resourceful person.     Blessings,    Debby
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Faith-talk mailing list
> Faith-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/faith-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Faith-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/faith-talk_nfbnet.org/programmer2188%40gmail.com